Boxing simulating exerciser

ABSTRACT

An exercise apparatus includes a frame having a lower support member, an upper support member and a pair of horizontal support members. The lower support member is secured to a base and includes an extension mechanism for raising and lowering the frame. The frame further including a support member and a pair of angled support members operably secured to the frame for supporting a plurality of target pads, each of the target pads positioned to assist a user in executing punches.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a training device and, moreparticularly, to an exercise apparatus which allows a user to simulatethe basic punches used in boxing.

For many individuals, boxing is an exercise activity which provides anintense muscular and cardiovascular workout; it is often practiced as acontact sport, for self-defense and/or for general fitness. Boxing is aparticularly attractive sport because it allows individuals to developstrength, agility and endurance at their own pace. Specifically, a boxeruses their fists to strategically throw punches at an opponent. Three ofthe generally recognized punches in boxing are the cross, jab anduppercut, with variations deriving therefrom. Employing these punchesoften requires the boxer to engage his or her body, planting the legsand bending the knees to provide a stable foundation; keeping a straightback and being aware of the core muscles as the twisting motiongenerates power, making the punches more effective. Then, when throwinga punch, the boxer extends one arm in the desired position and rotatesthe upper body to effectuate force. Employing a variety of punches,switching between one arm and the other, as desired, creates an intenseworkout which requires the use of entire muscular system.

However, proper technique when throwing the various types of punches isextremely important. As with many physical activities, improper form canincrease the chances for physical injury, and can lead to reduced speed,power and accuracy of the punches being thrown. Therefore, people whobox—even those who merely use boxing for exercise rather than forcompetition and actual fighting—need to consistently practice propermechanics.

Individuals who participate in boxing typically belong to a gym wherethey may spar with an opponent or practice with an experienced trainer.Experienced trainers are well versed in the proper form for throwing thevarious punches, and often use focus mitts at various positions andangles, as punching targets to promote proper form and reflexes. Focusmitts are padded gloves that are worn by a training partner, either atrainer or a sparring partner. Using focus mitts is a very effectivetraining technique because it offers the trainee a chance to practicewith a moving target. However, gym memberships can be costly and thereis no guarantee that a particular gym will offer facilities for and/orinstruction in boxing that an individual desires. Furthermore, due tolocation and/or time constraints, it may not be possible for individualsto go to gyms which have boxing facilities and/or boxing instruction.Moreover, many individuals prefer to exercise on their own, as theirschedule permits, without being constrained by a gym's traditionalhours, which may not be accommodating to a variety of individuals' busyschedules. Thus, a need exists for an exercise apparatus that hascertain improved features employing an electronic training system whichallows a user to simulate the different punches used in boxing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a training device and, moreparticularly, to an exercise apparatus which allows a user to simulatethe basic punches used in boxing. The exercise apparatus includes aframe for providing support to the structure rigidly within the confinesof a doorframe. The frame may further include a lower support member,the lower support member being attached to a base which extends down torest on the floor. The base may include a mechanical mechanism which maybe used to adjust the height of the exercise apparatus. The frame mayfurther include a pair of selectively extendable horizontal supportmembers, allowing the exercise apparatus to be temporarily securedwithin the doorframe.

Each of the horizontal support members preferably has a side bracket forsecuring the exercise apparatus into a doorframe. The brackets are heldsubstantially in place against the doorframe when the side brackets areextended to secure against a doorframe. When the side brackets areretracted, the exercise apparatus may be removed from the doorframe andstored, making the doorway accessible once more. The horizontal supportmembers may be fixedly connected to each other by a pair of verticalsupport members, which are positioned substantially parallel to eachother. A T-shaped support member may be fixedly secured to thehorizontal support member and between the vertical support members. Eachof the vertical support members may further include an angled supportmember extending outward from the frame.

A plurality of target pads may be fixedly secured to the frame andpositioned at specific angles to assist the user in executing punchescorrectly. Each of the target pads may be secured to either the t-shapedsupport member or to one of the angled support members. Each target padis preferably positioned and angled to promote proper form for aspecific punch. Each of the target pads may further include a housingmember extending from the back face of each target pad, and may includesensors for determining the timing of a punch. The exercise apparatusmay also further include a microprocessor operably connected to aplurality of electronic mechanisms enclosed within each of the targetpads for providing an interactive training system. Specific advantagesand features of the present assembly will be apparent from theaccompanying drawings and the description of several illustrativeembodiments of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a front elevation view of one embodiment of anexercise apparatus constructed in accordance with the teachings of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1without the target pads.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1 withoutthe target pads.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a close up front elevation view of a target pad of theexercise apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a close up side elevation view of the exercise apparatus ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is an environmental view showing the exercise apparatus of FIG.1 installed in a doorway.

It should be understood that the present drawings are not necessarily toscale and that the embodiments disclosed herein are sometimesillustrated by fragmentary views. In certain instances, details whichare not necessary for an understanding of the present invention or whichrender other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted. Itshould also be understood that the invention is not necessarily limitedto the particular embodiments illustrated herein. Like numbers utilizedthroughout the various figures designate like or similar parts orstructure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In this application for an exercise apparatus 10, a dimensionalcoordinate system consisting of an x-, y- and z-axis, is used forspatial reference, with the x-axis running parallel to the ground andfrom left to right, the y-axis running perpendicular to the ground andthe z-axis running parallel to the ground and perpendicular to thex-axis.

Referring now to the drawings, as best seen in FIGS. 1-3, the exerciseapparatus 10 includes a frame 12 for providing support and to facilitateinstallation of the exercise apparatus 10 into a doorframe, and acontrol panel 14 for displaying information or entertainment to a user.The frame 12 may be fashioned from any suitable material, including, butnot limited to: metal, metal alloy, plastic, plastic composite, wood,fiberglass and the like. The frame 12 may further include a lowersupport member 16A and a height adjustment member 16B which isselectively extendable from the lower support member 16A, bothpositioned substantially along the y-axis in line with one another.Adjustment holes 20 are preferably positioned along the length of theheight adjustment member 16B to effectuate locking the height adjustmentmember 16B at a user-selected position relative to the lower supportmember 16A, such as with a locking pin. The lower support member 16A maybe further attached to a base 18 which is provided to rest the exerciseapparatus 10 on the floor. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the lower supportmember 16A may include a spring 19 to assist in the extension of theheight adjustment member 16B from the lower support member 16A toeffectuate raising of the exercise apparatus 10. Other mechanisms forassisting in the raising of the exercise apparatus 10 may also beemployed as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art,including but not limited to a jacking or ratcheting mechanism or thelike.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the frame 12 may further include apair of horizontal support members 22A positioned substantially parallelto each other and substantially along the x-axis. Preferably, eachhorizontal support member 22A includes a horizontal extension member 22Bwhich can be selectively extended from horizontal support member 22A.Adjustment holes 20 are preferably positioned along the length of eachhorizontal extension member 22B to effectuate locking of each horizontalextension member 22B at a user-selected position relative to itsrespective horizontal support member 22A, such as with a locking pin.Each of the horizontal extension members 22B preferably includes atleast one front bracket 24A for engaging the front of a doorframe tosecure the exercise apparatus 10 therein. A fine adjustment mechanism,such as a screw mechanism (not shown) as would be understood, may alsobe included to further extend or retract the front brackets 24A for firmengagement with a doorframe.

In operation, to install the exercise apparatus 10 in a door frame, theexercise apparatus is preferably placed within a doorframe. The heightadjustment member 16B is raised or lowered with respect to the lowersupport member, and is locked in place via a locking pin to secure theexercise apparatus 10 at a proper height for the user. The horizontalextension members 22B are then extended from the horizontal supportmembers 22A so that front brackets 24A engage with or nearly engage witheach of the sides of the doorframe, and are locked in place with alocking pin. If any fine adjustment is needed to properly engage suchfront brackets 24A with the doorframe, a fine adjustment mechanism maybe used to further extend or retract the brackets 24A so that theyproperly engage the doorframe. The brackets 24A are thereby heldsubstantially in place against the doorframe, so as to secure theexercise apparatus 10 in place from the sides.

Later, any such locking pins may be removed to allow the heightadjustment member 16B and/or the horizontal extension members 22B toretract back into their respective housings. This allows for removal ofthe exercise apparatus 10 from the doorframe. making the doorwayaccessible once more.

As best shown in FIG. 4, the horizontal support members 22A may befixedly connected to each other by a pair of vertical support members26A and 26B. The vertical support members 26A and 26B may be positionedsubstantially parallel to each other and substantially along the y-axis.An additional support member 28 may be fixedly secured to the horizontalsupport member 22A and between the vertical support members 26A and 26B.Each of the vertical support members 26A and 26B may further include anangled support member 30A and 30B extending outward from the frame. Inone embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 5, the inner angle formed by thehorizontal support members 22A, 22B and the angled support member 30A ispreferably between 108° and 128°, more preferably at approximately 118°.Likewise, the inner angle formed by the horizontal support members 22A,22B and the angled support member 30B is preferably between 108° and128°, more preferably at approximately 118°.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 and 5-9, several target pads 32 may besecured to the frame 12 and positioned at specific angles to assist theuser in executing punches with correct form. The target pads 32 may befashioned from any suitable material, including, but not limited to:plastic, plastic composite, padding, foam, cellulose, polyurethane,rubber, elastomer and the like. In one embodiment, each of the targetpads 32 may be secured to either the support member 28 or to one of theangled support members 30A or 30B. Each of the target pads 32 mayfurther include a housing member 34 extending from the back face of eachtarget pad 32. In one embodiment, each of the housing members 34 may bedesigned to facilitate shock absorption when a target pad 32 is struckby the user, and each housing member may thus further include a spring.In yet another embodiment, each of the housing members 34 may be used toadjust the position of the target pads 32, allowing users to customizethe angle of each of the target pads 32 as desired. Alternatively,housing members 34 may be static with respect to frame 12.

The target pads 32 may be positioned to facilitate a boxer's ability tostrategically throw punches at a target and to employ the four generallyrecognized punches in boxing as well as variations of such punchesderiving therefrom. In one embodiment, the target pads 32 may include acenter pad 32A, a left angle pad 32B, a right angle pad 32C, a left wingpad 32D and a right wing pad 32E. As can be best seen in FIG. 6, thecenter pad 32A may be secured to t-shaped support member 28 andpositioned generally parallel to both the x-axis and y-axis andperpendicular to the z-axis. This positioning of center pad 32A promotesproper form for throwing a jab, as a jab should be a compact, straightpunch.

Both the left angle pad 32B and the right angle pad 32C may bepositioned generally parallel to both the x-axis and the y-axis,intersecting the z-axis, such that the left angle pad 32B and the rightangle pad 32C generally mirror each other. The left angle pad 32B may besecured to the angled support member 30A and positioned such that theangle formed between the angled support member 30A and the housingmember 34 is preferably between 90° and 110°, more preferably atapproximately 100°. This positioning of the left angle pad 32B promotesthe proper form for a right-cross (or a right hook for a left handedboxer), as a right cross should be substantially level with the ground,but at a slight angle crossing in front of the body. Similarly, theright angle pad 32C may be secured to the angled support member 30B andpositioned such that the angle formed between the angled support member30B and the housing member 34 is preferably between 90° and 110°, morepreferably at approximately 100°. As above, the positioning of the rightangle pad 32C promotes the proper form for a left hook (or a left-crossfor a left handed boxer), as a left hook should also be substantiallylevel with the ground, but at a sweeping angle crossing in front of thebody.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the left wing pad 32D may be secured to theangled support member 30A and positioned such that the angle formedbetween the angled support member 30A and the housing member 34 ispreferably between 68° and 88°, more preferably at approximately 78° inthe x-z plane, 16° below parallel with the x axis. The left wing pad 32Dmay be positioned preferably between 22° and 42° below the x-axis in thex-y plane, and more preferably at 32° below the x-axis as shown in FIG.7. As can be seen in FIG. 8, the left wing pad 32D may be furtherpositioned preferably between 53° and 73° below the z-axis in the y-zplane, more preferably at 63° below the z-axis. The right wing pad 32Epreferably mirrors the positioning of the left wing pad 32D. Thisslightly downward and inward positioning of the left wing pad 32D andright wing pad 32E is designed to promote the proper form for throwingleft and right uppercuts, which should begin low and be directed upward,while moving slightly across the body. Thus, the left and right wingpads 32D, 32E are designed to simulate a boxing training positioning hismitts low and at an inward angle to allow a boxer to properly practicethrowing uppercuts.

As noted above, the exercise apparatus 10 may include a control panel 14associated with a microprocessor operably connected to a plurality oflights and electronic mechanisms enclosed within each of the target pads32 for providing an interactive training system. Electronic mechanismswithin a target pad may include pressure sensors to detect the timing ofpunches thrown. By transmitting this information to the microprocessor,the exercise apparatus 10 may monitor the number of punches landed in apredetermined interval, and may award points based on predeterminedthresholds of either or both. Such a scoring system may allow trainersto set goals for boxing students, and/or may create a game out ofpracticing. For example, the control panel 14 may turn on lightspositioned near each pad indicating which punch should be thrown next.Thereby, a trainer may create a workout routine, instructing a studentto punch certain targets in a given sequence without actually beingpresent. Alternatively, the control panel 14 may execute pre-loadedsequences, or may randomly create new sequences.

The control panel 14 preferably includes a display screen for displayingvarious information to the user, including, but not limited to: a choiceof interactive exercise programs, the level or speed of the sequences, atimer, statistics about the user's punches (accuracy, number of puncheslanded, etc.) and calories burned, among other things. The control panel14 may include a digital music player, allowing the control panel 14 tosync the lights, so as to signaling the user to punch with the beat ofthe music.

Thus, there has been shown and described an embodiment of a novelexercise apparatus. As is evident from the foregoing description,certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by theparticular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it istherefore contemplated that other modifications and applications, orequivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art. The terms“having” and “including” and similar terms as used in the foregoingspecification are used in the sense of “optional” or “may include” andnot as “required”. Many changes, modifications, variations and otheruses and applications of the present invention will, however, becomeapparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specificationand the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications,variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from thespirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by theinvention which is limited only by the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. An exercise apparatus comprising: a frame; aplurality of target pads affixed to said frame; a frame for supportingeach of the target pads; a plurality of brackets attached to the framefor removably securing the exercise apparatus into a doorframe; a basebeing adjustable to selectively raise said frame to selectively securesaid exercise apparatus into a said doorframe, and to selectively lowersaid frame to selectively release said exercise apparatus from saiddoorframe.
 2. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein theplurality of target pads includes a center pad positioned to receive aproperly thrown jab.
 3. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1wherein the plurality of target pads includes at least one padpositioned to receive a properly thrown hook punch.
 4. An exerciseapparatus according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of target padsincludes at least one pad positioned to receive a properly thrownuppercut punch.
 5. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1 whereinthe plurality of target pads includes a center pad positioned to receivea properly thrown jab punch, at least one pad positioned to receive aproperly thrown hook punch and at least one pad positioned to receive aproperly thrown uppercut punch.
 6. An exercise apparatus according toclaim 1 wherein the exercise apparatus further includes a control panel.7. An exercise apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the control panelis electrically connected to a plurality of lights, each lightassociated with a said target pad.
 8. An exercise apparatus according toclaim 6 wherein the control panel is electrically connected to aplurality of force sensors, where a force sensor is positioned withineach of the target pads.
 9. An exercise apparatus according to claim 6wherein the microprocessor further includes an interactive trainingsystem.
 10. An exercise apparatus according to claim 6 wherein themicroprocessor further communicates with a display.
 11. An exerciseapparatus according to claim 1 wherein the target pads are adjustable.12. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the base includesa mechanism to assist in raising the frame.
 13. An exercise apparatuscomprising: a frame including a lower support member and a pair ofhorizontal support members; said lower support member secured to a basefor positioning the exercise apparatus against the ground, at least oneof the base and the lower support member being selectively adjustablefor raising and lowering the frame; said horizontal support membersbeing selectively extendable and having a bracket for cooperating withand securing the frame within a doorframe; a support member and a pairof angled support members operably secured to the frame for supporting aplurality of target pads, said target pads positioned to assist a userin executing punches.
 14. An exercise apparatus according to claim 13wherein the exercise apparatus further includes a control panel.
 15. Anexercise apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the control panel iselectrically connected to a plurality of lights, each light associatedwith a said target pad.
 16. An exercise apparatus according to claim 14wherein the control panel is electrically connected to a plurality offorce sensors, each force sensor positioned within each of the saidtarget pads.
 17. An exercise apparatus according to claim 14 wherein thecontrol panel further includes an interactive training system.
 18. Anexercise apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the control panelfurther includes a display screen.
 19. An exercise apparatus accordingto claim 13 wherein the target pads are adjustable.
 20. An exerciseapparatus comprising: a frame; a plurality of target pads connected tothe frame including a center pad, a left angle pad, a right angle pad, aleft wing pad and a right wing pad, wherein: the center paid is mountedapproximately parallel to an x-y plane and perpendicular to a z axis;the left angle pad is mounted at approximately 38° below the x-axis inthe x-z plane; the right angle pad is mounted to mirror the left anglepad; the left wing pad is mounted at approximately 32° below the x axisin the x-y plane and 63° below the z axis in the z-y plane; and theright wing pad is mounted to mirror the left wing pad; a plurality ofbrackets attached to the frame for removably securing the exerciseapparatus into a doorframe; and a selectively adjustable base forselectively raising said frame.